Study of Hepatitis E Virus in Minia Governorate, Upper Egypt

Aim: Hepatitis E is a viral liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), which is endemic in many tropical countries. We aimed to study the incidence of HEV infection at Minia governorate through Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) tests.

Methodology: The study found that among 129 cases of acute hepatitis, laboratory methods for diagnosis of Hepatitis viruses(A , B and c) were done by using ELISA for detection HBs Ag, HCV antibodies and HAV antibodies and all positive cases of Hepatitis A, B and C were excluded. All Negative cases were screened for HEV Using ELIZA and PCR

Results: Eight cases were positive by PCR and Five cases positive by ELIZA.

Conclusion: The incidence of HEV was low and PCR method was accurate than ELIZA in diagnosis.